CNO visits USS Boxer

ARABIAN GULF (Nov. 27, 2013) Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert delivers remarks during an all-hands call aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). Boxer is the flagship for the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Veronica Mammina

Carrier Strike Group 9 completes IDCERTEX
11/27/2013
by MC3 Bradley J. Gee, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West
PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9 completed an independent deployer certification exercise (IDCERTEX) in the U.S. Third Fleet Area of Operations (AOR), Nov. 18.
The flagship of CSG 9, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), led the intermediate and advanced training across multiple warfare areas with seven San Diego based ships that included: Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Wayne E. Mayer (DDG 108), USS Howard (DDG 83), USS Pickney (DDG 91), USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Momsen (DDG 92), with Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) and Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Gary (FFG 7).
"During our nine days of IDCERTEX, we employ some of our tactical knowledge and get in the rhythm of working with other ships, aircraft and submarines in several warfare areas," said Master Chief Donald Charbonneau, command master chief of Wayne E. Meyer. "Our jobs as destroyers are to protect the aircraft carrier."
IDCERTEX begins with unit-level training specific to the ship that requires training in shipboard firefighting, man overboard drills, visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS), and other ship specific training.
"The goal of this IDCERTEX was to provide a robust certification exercise for multiple independent deployers in an operational carrier strike group setting," said Capt. Stan Chien, CSG 9 operations officer. "Anytime you operate in a multi-ship, multi-staff environment, you add complexity and depth to an operation."
The integrated phase involves training between multiple ships and aircraft and consists of flight operations, submarine tracking, strait transit formations, replenishment-at-sea and other required mission evolutions.
"With the primary focus being certification of the cruisers and destroyers, each individual ship was challenged in multiple simultaneous warfare areas and they performed well," said Chien. "Beyond that, the ships effectively interacted with strike group warfare commanders, the carrier strike group staff and in some areas, simulated fleet staffs through reporting and submission of products. This IDCERTEX was successful on multiple levels."
USS Howard is scheduled to depart Naval Base San Diego in December on an independent deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean.
U.S. Third Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific from the West Coast of North America to the international date line and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.

Navy completes first CANES installation on USS McCampbell
11/26/2013
From Space and Naval Warfare Sytems Command Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Navy announced Nov. 26 that it successfully installed the first operational next generation tactical afloat network aboard the Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 80).
Based in Yokosuka, Japan, McCampbell completed its installation of the Consolidated Afloat Network and Enterprise Services (CANES) Nov. 6. Prior to that, the destroyer conducted sea trials in October to validate how the network would perform in an operational environment and that the network would meet mission needs.
CANES represents a key aspect of the Navy's modernization planning by upgrading cybersecurity, command and control, communications and intelligence systems afloat. The enhanced degree of standardization will reduce the number of network variants by ship class across the fleet.
Installation of CANES is ongoing in various stages aboard eight guided missile destroyers, two carriers and one amphibious assault ship.
Hardware refresh is planned and funded for every four years, with software refresh scheduled for every two years. This will enable the Navy to keep pace with technology, eliminate the challenges of multiple versions of hardware and software and decrease threats to the network. Information assurance is the foundation used to build CANES, which makes network protection easier and decreases the costs and complexity of training and sustainment.
The network will be deployed to more than 190 ships, submarines and Maritime Operations Centers by 2021.
As the Navy's Information Dominance systems command, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) designs, develops and deploys advanced communications and information capabilities. With more than 8,900 active duty military and civil service professionals located around the world and close to the fleet. SPAWAR is at the forefront of research, engineering, acquisition and support services that provide vital decision superiority to our forces at the right time and for the right cost.
For more information on CANES, visit http://www.public.navy.mil/spawar/PEOC4I/ProductsServices/Pages/
CANES.aspx

Navy Recruiters of the Year announced
11/26/2013
by MCSN Tyler Fraser,
Commander, Navy Recruiting Command Public Affairs
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- Rear Adm. Annie B. Andrews, commander, Navy Recruiting Command, announced the Recruiters of Year (ROY) for Fiscal Year 2013 Nov. 22:
* ROY Enlisted Active Component (AC) - Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class Dustin Grover, Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Portland
* ROY Enlisted Reserve Component (RC) - Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class (SS) Caleb Minson, NRD New England
* ROY Officer (AC) - Quartermaster 2nd Class Robert Baetz, NRD Raleigh
* ROY Officer (RC) - Lt. Kathryn Gelenter, NRD Minneapolis
* Nuclear Field Coordinator of the Year - Electrician's Mate 1st Class (AW/SW) Thomas Bosarge, NRD Houston
* Station Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO)/Leading Petty Officer (LPO) of the Year - Navy Counselor 1st Class Ryan Schlotfeld, NRD Minneapolis
* Classifier of the Year - Personnel Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Stephanie Perry, NRD Los Angeles
* Divisional LCPO/LPO of the Year - Chief Navy Counselor (SW/AW) Kevin Kikawa, NRD Portland
* Diversity Enlisted of the Year - Engineering Aide 2nd Class (SCW) Larzon Ong, NRD San Francisco
* Diversity Officer of the Year - Chief Navy Counselor John Marullo, NRD San Francisco
* Medical Officer ROY - Chief Hospital Corpsman (FMF/SW/AW) Joseph Rawson, NRD Philadelphia
* Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program (NUPOC) Officer ROY, Chief Machinist's Mate Sergio Palacios, NRD Philadelphia
* Naval Special Warfare (NSW)/Naval Special Operations (NSO) ROY - Constuction Electrician 2nd Class Mark Durand, NRD New England
* Support Person of the Year - Navy Counselor 1st Class (SW) Archie Anz, NRD San Diego
This year's 14 ROY award recipients were selected from the top 26 nominees for each category from across the nation in a very competitive selection board process. Each awardee is recognized for outstanding performance in their recruiting duties which directly contributes to the Navy's fleet readiness and capability. An annual ROY awards ceremony typically takes place in January in Washington, D.C. This year's ROY celebrations are tentatively scheduled for Jan. 26-31.
In addition to the ROY winners, NRD San Francisco was recognized with the Navy Recruiting Command Gold "R" award, which is similar to a Battle "E" award in the fleet. The Gold "R" recognizes the top Recruiting District across the nation.
Approximately 5,000 Navy recruiters are on duty around the clock across the country to recruit the best and brightest America has to offer. Recruiters are tasked with ensuring the Navy's active and reserve, officer and enlisted manning levels are met across the fleet. The Recruiting enterprise consists of a command headquarters located in Millington, Tenn., two Navy Recruiting Regions, East and West, and 26 Navy Recruiting Districts which serve hundreds of recruiting stations across the country.
The men and women who join today's Navy, and the recruiters who help them get there, are a testament to the quality and commitment of today's young Americans, serving their country with honor, courage and commitment. With 70 percent of the world covered by ocean, 80 percent of the world's population living near coasts and 90 percent of the world's commerce traveling by water, providing for the future of the fleet is vital to the nation's defense.
For more information about Navy recruiting, visit www.navy.com, www.cnrc.navy.mil or www.facebook.com\NavyRecruiting and www.facebook.com/usnavylife.

Hospital ship Mercy returns to reduced operating status
11/26/2013
From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, directed that the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) be returned to a reduced operating status Nov. 25.
Following a devastating typhoon in the Philippines, Mercy was activated Nov. 13 for possible deployment to support disaster relief efforts as part of Operation Damayan.
"Shifting Mercy from her normal reduced operating status to fully ready to deploy in a matter of days is a testament to the responsiveness and expertise of the Military Sealift Command, our Navy medical corps, and the shipyard civilian workforce in San Diego," said Pacific Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Steve Curry.
Mercy was prepared for deployment as a prudent measure in the event that the scope and scale of the relief efforts in the Philippines necessitated the long-term, robust capabilities the hospital ship provides.
"Our friends needed our help, so we leaned forward to get Mercy ready to deploy early in the crisis, before the medical situation was completely known, due the time required to prepare the ship for sea, and transit to the Philippines," said Curry. "The medical situation in the Philippines has dramatically improved over the last two weeks, with numerous U.S. and international care providers currently operating in impacted areas, so the ship will not deploy."
Within six days of Typhoon Haiyan hitting the region, the U.S. Pacific Fleet had 10 ships and numerous aircraft on station delivering vital assistance to the government and people of the Philippines. In addition to two P-3 maritime aircraft from VP-26, USS George Washington (CVN 73), USS Antietam (CG 54), USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62), USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10), USS Cowpens (CG 63), USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), USS Lassen (DDG 82), USS Mustin (DDG 89), USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4), and USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) deployed with 21 helicopters and provided support during the initial stages of the disaster relief effort.
On Nov. 20, USS Ashland (LSD 48) and USS Germantown (LSD 42) arrived at the Philippines with embarked Marines as part of the Navy-Marine Corps team effort to provide humanitarian assistance. Subsequently, USS Freedom (LCS 1) also deployed in support of Operation Damayan.
Operation Damayan is part of the broader U.S. Government interagency effort led by the Department of State to support the Government of the Philippines's request for humanitarian assistance.

USS Cape St. George commemorates its heritage
11/25/2013
by MCSN James Vazquez, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) commemorated the 70th anniversary of the battle for which it was named at Naval Base San Diego, Nov. 25.
The ship is named after the Battle of Cape St. George, which took place on Nov. 25, 1943, in the South Pacific off the island of New Ireland, during World War II.
During the battle, five American ships, led by then-Capt. Arleigh Burke, sank three of the five Japanese destroyers, and severely damaged a fourth while not sustaining any damage.
During the ceremony, Capt. Michael Doran, the commanding officer of Cape St. George, took a moment to thank the veterans of the battle who were present at the ceremony, including the guest speaker, Retired Capt. Charlie Steven Nelson, Sr.
"Among many of the reasons we won the Battle of Cape St. George, lies within the people who manned the ships," Nelson said.
"Men, including boys who lied about their age at the time, from all over the United States, fought on those ships," Nelson said. "They came from mansions, farms, factories and all walks of life."
The crew of Cape St. George extended their gratitude to Nelson, presenting him with various gifts, including a personalized jacket embroidered with the ship's name.
"His sacrifice is the reason we are all here today," said Lt. Jonathan D. Rozendaal, who delivered the ceremony's invocation.
After singing "Desron Twenty-Three," a song written in honor of the ships that fought during the battle, Nelson shared some advice with the crew in his closing statement.
"Live long, live well, love a lot and may that love be returned."

PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 26, 2013) The littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) conducts a passing exercise with the Bangladesh navy frigate BNS Somudro Joy (F-28). Freedom is transiting the Pacific Ocean as the ship returns to homeport in San Diego, Calif. U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Karolina A. Oseguera

USS Freedom and BNS Somudro Joy conduct PASSEX in Pacific
11/26/2013
by MC3 Karolina A. Oseguera
PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- USS Freedom (LCS 1) conducted a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the Bangladesh navy ship BNS Somudro Joy (F-28), Nov. 26.
The PASSEX occurred as both ships transited across the Pacific Ocean in support of multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in the Philippines.
Freedom had recently completed delivering aid supplies to Tacloban Nov. 24, while Somudro Joy was en route to deliver aid.
Formerly the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis, Somudro Joy was transferred to the Bangladesh Navy in May as Excess Defense Articles (EDA) as part of a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case with Bangladesh. The ship departed Alameda, Calif., Oct. 26 and has since transited across the Pacific Ocean en route to Chittagong, Bangladesh.
"This PASSEX was a unique opportunity to work with the Bangladesh navy," said Freedom's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Pat Thien. "Bangladesh was able to show off their navy's newest warship, and both crews conducted valuable training events at sea."
Several at sea training events were accomplished over a four-hour period, including a ship-to-ship personnel exchange, diversionary tactics (DIVTACS) and a fire drill on board the Freedom. Conducted as an extension of the bilateral naval exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh, the PASSEX complimented shore-based training events conducted in Chittagong, Bangladesh from Sept. 16-21.
"The personnel exchange was a great way to make friends at sea," said Freedom's Operations Officer Lt. Cmdr. Brandon Epps. "I toured Somudro Joy, and learned a great deal from seeing how they operate their ship."
On board Freedom, crewmembers from Somudro Joy observed shipboard damage control tactics during a class alpha fire drill.
"They saw us come in and test for agent as well as clear personnel from the spaces and set boundaries," said Culinary Specialist Seaman Christian Diaz, a member of the damage control response team. "The interaction was awesome."
USS Freedom's first rotational deployment to Southeast Asia began March 1, when the ship departed San Diego and commenced a Pacific Ocean transit that included port visits in Hawaii, Guam and Manila. Freedom used Singapore as a logistics and maintenance hub between April 18 and Nov. 16, during which she participated in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX), three phases of the bilateral naval exercise CARAT with Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, and the multinational exercise Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT). During port visits, Freedom hosted thousands visitors from throughout Southeast Asia.

CPO 365 training...

SAN DIEGO (Nov. 20, 2013) Retired Capt. Will Hays, Chairman of the Board for the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center, educates chief petty officers and first class petty officers from Commander, Strike Force Training Pacific (CSFTP) during a Chief Petty Officer (CPO) 365 training about the history of past American Pacific conflicts. Hays served with distinction from Korea to Vietnam, commanding three ships during his service and heading three shore commands. U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Corey T. Jones